Yeah, I know my hair can't look exactly like CurlyCarmen's. I don't have her genes! I guess I just meant getting *more* volume so my hair falls more out than in, if that makes sense. I think my best bet is to maybe go lighter on products and get better at diffusing my hair. I don't usually diffuse, I usually air dry. But I leave the house well before it's dry, do I can't touch it until later. My current cut is what I got when I asked for layers and didn't quite get what I want. I'm convincing myself more and more to schedule a hair appointment this week to see what can be done. I don't want to lose length, I just want volumizing layers I don't have split ends so I don't need a trim right now. I did find a Deva styling specialist in my area, so maybe I'll find out when she's available this week. Other than that, I'll keep experimenting :-)

Originally Posted by Curlygirl323

That makes perfect sense. I would love my hair to look on top more like the bottom which is where I tend to have all my volume. Definitely try diffusing upside down using the pixie method (I think thats what its called) and bringing the blowdryer closer to your scalp. Air drying can sometimes weigh down your curls. I recently had a devacut and didn't want to lose length either. I made sure I told the stylist and he was able to fix my ends, shape my hair with layers and still keep length. I did find this video, it says its for thin hair but you can always give it a try and see if it helps. It gave her a good amount of volume with no heat which is a plus.

I have recently been experimenting with ways to get root and crown volume with some success (repeatable). Here is what I do if I want volume:

1. After smoothing on the RO, I use my wide tooth comb and comb my hair upside down. Then I flip back up and do the "baptism" rinse described in the Curly Girl Method. Then I take my comb or fingers and comb my top layers out straight away from my head. Then I flip back over and scrunch the condish in more. Lastly, I do a quick rinse upside down.

2. Scrunch wet hair upside down and side to side with flour sack towel.

5. Flip hair back up and back shaking it little side to side. At this point, I can feel the clumps standing up a bit from my head.

6. Plop for 15-30 minutes.

This is the step that I just added that has helped the most:

7. Diffuse using the pixie curl technique upside down and side to side. While doing a side, I also place the diffuser against the top side of my head, making sure that the hair is resting in a direction towards the top so the roots dry in a position where the hair is laying in the opposite direction it normally falls. Lastly, I partially flip my hair upside down so only the top layers in back are hanging upside down and place the diffuser against my scalp to dry the roots in the opposite direction.

Using this process I get similar results to using the CHS roller clamps without any curl disruption.

I posted something very similar in the 3b forum a few weeks ago... my hair looks very similar to yours. I can get volume by using products with glycerin, but then I get the frizzies along with the volume! If I just leave it alone, I get really nice spirals... but flat roots.

I've tried clipping, plopping, etc, but I have to choose only one: Either definition or volume. I can't seem to have both.

Today I got a little more volume (see pic). This was with minimal KCKT, CK and KCCC in my hair after a DT. I diffused upside down (forward, left side, right side x3), scrunched up my lack of crunch, fluffed my roots upside down and right side up. My hair had lots of frizz, as you can tell. Today I bought some DevaCurl No Poo so that I can ensure I get all product out of my hair in the future. Also, I'm getting my first Deva Cut tomorrow at 2pm, so hopefully I can optimize volume and learn some styling techniques that maybe I've overlooked or not done in quite the right fashion. These are my last two options, I'm afraid

Today I got a little more volume (see pic). This was with minimal KCKT, CK and KCCC in my hair after a DT. I diffused upside down (forward, left side, right side x3), scrunched up my lack of crunch, fluffed my roots upside down and right side up. My hair had lots of frizz, as you can tell. Today I bought some DevaCurl No Poo so that I can ensure I get all product out of my hair in the future. Also, I'm getting my first Deva Cut tomorrow at 2pm, so hopefully I can optimize volume and learn some styling techniques that maybe I've overlooked or not done in quite the right fashion. These are my last two options, I'm afraid

I have noticed for myself that my hair doesn't like to be weighed down by many oils. I usually only use very light oils, but everytime I use Wild Growth Hair Oil, my hair just hates my guts and looks greasy. I only use 5 drops!!

I've noticed more Volume on my roots now that I've been using SM Yucca line.

Sorry for the Blurry picture >.<

Attached Thumbnails

Last edited by Pixar; 02-25-2013 at 11:09 PM.
Reason: And of course it posted differently than on my computer... >.<

I posted something very similar in the 3b forum a few weeks ago... my hair looks very similar to yours. I can get volume by using products with glycerin, but then I get the frizzies along with the volume! If I just leave it alone, I get really nice spirals... but flat roots.

I've tried clipping, plopping, etc, but I have to choose only one: Either definition or volume. I can't seem to have both.

Originally Posted by CurlyJulie81

Same here when ever I get volume it usually comes with lots of frizz. It can be a bit frustrating :\

Does your hair like protein? I find protein gives me volume. I am 2a/2b though... when it's 2a I get tons of volume, when it's 2b I get defined curls with no volume. The difference bw it being 2a or 2b depends on the day, whether I scrunch while wet and what products I use. Coconut oil for instance will give me nicely defined, soft curls, but sadly no volume. RO's or LI's with protein will give me more volume, but sometimes loses the curl when completely dry. I'm still trying to figure out the balance.

In your case it may be too many products weighing down your hair... or maybe you're overconditioned? Or maybe you just have to pick bw more volume and maybe a little bit more frizz or no frizz but no volume.

Your new haircut looks great though and through some new methods that you were trying it looks like you're definitely achieving more volume!